Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Martyn See complies with MDA's order but video goes viral

Yesterday, I was ordered by the Media Development Authority (MDA) to "to take down all digital copies of the film that you have uploaded onto youtube and your blogsite".

Therefore, as of now, the banned video "Ex-political prisoner speaks out in Singapore", or "Dr Lim Hock Siew" as stated in my submission to the censors, has been deleted from youtube, and you will not be able to view it here.

Yesterday, at the time of the first press release announcing the ban, the viewership registered at 44,165. At 2359 hours 12 July 2010, it had increased to 49,903

I have received notices that the film has been downloaded by anonymous netizens who have already or are in the process of uploading it to various video sites such as this. Although I remind all that it is criminal offence (to the tune of a maximum $10,000 fine or two years imprisonment) to possess or distribute the film, I have no wish, nor the means, to hinder the viral spread of the video.

As such, I hereby declare that the film is no longer in my possession, and its ownership will from now on be given to all citizens of the Republic of Singapore.

AFP - A Singaporean filmmaker on Wednesday complied with a government order to remove a political film from video sharing site YouTube but said others were defiantly spreading it on the web.

Martyn See said he was ordered by the information ministry to to take down all digital copies of the film from YouTube and his blogsite by July 14 or face up to two years in jail and a fine of 10,000 Singapore dollars (7,100 US).

The banned video titled "Ex-political prisoner speaks out in Singapore" is about a rare public talk in 2009 by Lim Hock Siew, a leftist medical doctor and activist held from 1963 to 1982 during then prime minister Lee Kuan Yew's rule.

"I have received notices that the film has been downloaded by anonymous netizens who have already, or are in the process of, uploading it to various video sites such as (Vimeo)," See told AFP in an email.

"Although I remind all that it is criminal offence... to possess or distribute the film, I have no wish, nor the means, to hinder the viral spread of the video," said See, who has had previous brushes with the authorities.

"As such, I hereby declare that the film is no longer in my possession, and its ownership will from now on be given to all citizens of the Republic of Singapore," added See, a 41-year-old professional video editor.

In a statement on Monday, the Ministry of Information, Communication and the Arts said the 22-minute film was submitted to government censors for classification but it was banned "as it is against the public interest."

"The film gives a distorted and misleading portrayal of Dr Lim?s arrests and detention under the Internal Security Act (ISA) in 1963.

"The Singapore government will not allow individuals who have posed a security threat to Singapore?s interests in the past, to use media platforms such as films to make baseless accusations against the authorities, give a false portrayal of their previous activities in order to exculpate their guilt, and undermine public confidence in the government in the process."

In his memoirs, Lee Kuan Yew -- now an adviser to his son Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong -- wrote that the 1963 police raids that landed Lim in detention were part of a crackdown on communists.

the government is its own worst enemy. by banning it and making it an offence, many more people will make it a point to watch it. maybe that is the intent of someone in the MDA to publicise it in a convoluted manner???anyway, lky should defend his action instead of resorting to this crude means of banning it. human nature is such that when you ban something, it tells them that there must be some truth to the allegations at least. they can protest to high heaven its not true but no one will believe them!

Looks like the tide has turned and some netizens are braving this to upload the video.. unheard of before.

Well what can one expect when and acting minister whose only experience is in the military handles this.. seems like more and more military personnel are being enlisted into the PAP government.. one that will understand what is obeying orders.

Aside from this, there is a joke on Singaporeans.. there is one tourism that the STPB will not be successful in - fishing.

Singaporean filmmaker with two banned films, two police investigations and a conscience that just won't let him rest.
For a extensive interview about me and my work, go to
Interview with Martyn See
Other editing credits include :
Mee Pok Man (1994, Eric Khoo)
That One No Enough (2000, Jack Neo)
I Do I Do (2005, Wen Hui, Jack Neo)
Singapore Gaga (2005,Tan Pin Pin)
Just Follow Law (2007, Jack Neo), Money No Enough 2 (2008, Jack Neo)